Slipper has been accused of three counts of dishonestly using Cabcharge cards while a federal politician, but his lawyer argued that the case is a violation of parliamentary privilege.

Defence counsel Kylie Weston-Scheuber sought leave to file an application for a permanent stay of proceedings when she arrived with her client at the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday.

She said the prosecution proceedings "violated parliamentary privilege".

"It became clear to me that there was a real issue," she said.

"... The proceeding would constitute an abuse of process, because it is not possible for Mr Slipper to have a fair hearing.

"The minute that evidence is called against Mr Slipper ... the rule of parliamentary privilege is breached."

Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker adjourned the matter until Tuesday, following a request from prosecutor Lionel Robberds.

Slipper, who was a speaker of the House of Representatives during the last Federal Parliament, was the Liberal member for the Queensland seat of Fisher for more than 20 years, before becoming an independent MP in 2011.

Commonwealth prosecutors allege Mr Slipper, who was not re-elected at the last election, improperly used $1000 of the taxi vouchers to visit district restaurants and wineries.

Ms Weston-Scheuber, a former prosecutor who led the Australian Defence Force Academy Skype case, told the court that parliamentary business was not sufficiently defined in regards to using taxpayer funds to cover transport for politicians.

"There must be a connection with the business of parliament ... but certainly parliamentary business extends outside the doors of parliament," she said.

Ms Weston-Scheuber said the matter would not set a precedent in regards to politicians being prosecuted for alleged misuse of public funds, adding that Mr Slipper himself could not waive parliamentary privilege.

"The privilege is one that belongs to parliament and only the parliament can waive it," she said.

The hearing, if the matter proceeds, is expected to take several days and include a witness list of eight people. Diary notes from the Australian Federal Police are also expected to be tendered as part of evidence.

Slipper has pleaded not guilty, and has previously said he would vigorously fight the charges.

He refused questions from the media both entering and leaving the court on Monday.

The former politician first appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court in May, where he told media he had been treated unfairly.

"That's a matter that is usually handled administratively between the member and Department of Finance, instead this matter has been set down for a seven-day trial," he said.

"I regret that I have not been given the equivalence of treatment given to other members and senators."

The matter will return to the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday.